Fastener for box-closures.



L. C. DVDSON.

FASTENER FUR BOX CLOSUR'ES.

APPLICATION man JUNE 3,1916.

9222,37 Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

CIK

LYMAN C. DAVIDSGN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FASTENER FR BOX-CLOSURES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. il), 1917.

Application filed June 3, 1916. Serial No. 101,474.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, Lt-.zuAN C. DavinsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fasteners for Box- Closures, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention is a device for closing and sealing boxes of any and all kinds, where a perfect air-tight closure is desired, with special references to devices of this kind, such as bread boxes, sugar boxes, lnnnidors'and so forth, where ready and repeated opening and closing of the box is required. For convenience, the drawings show, and the invention will be described, as applied to a portable humidor for handling cigars.

The object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind in which the ordinary user can, by manipulating an accessible and readilv handled part, apply a very heavy pressure to force the cover and body ofthe receptacle together, thereby effecting a satisfactory sealing of the device.

The invention consists in a device capable of carrying` out the foregoing objects, which can be easily and cheaply made, which is etlicient in operation and not liable to get out of order. lt consists more particularly in a novel form of concealed spring construction for forcing the cover onto the receptacle, in combination with special means cooperating' with the springs for producing the desired result. The invention consists further in the special features and details more fully described in the speciiication and claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closed humidor having the device of this vinvention applied thereto.

Fig. :2 shows the parts of Fig. l. in the position which they assume when the cover is removed from the humidor.

Fig. 3 is a side view partially in section of the parts of Fig. 1 in a changed position intermediate between those of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view on the line 4-4, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view on the line 5-5, of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view taken on the line tht, of' Fig. 3.

F ig. 7 is a sectional view showing a novel way of forming a packing ring recess.

Fig. S shows a sectional view of a detail.

The box or case to be closed, in this particular set of drawings a. humidor, designed to be carried in a suit case or grip, consists of a rectangular body portion 10 closed by a correspondingly shaped cover member 12, the edge 13 of one of these parts (the cover 12) fitting into a recess 14 formed in the other, the bottom of this recess being provided with a packing cushion 15.

The cover 12 is made with hollow walls throughout; that is to say, with parallel side walls 16 and 18 between which there are air ,spaces 20 communicating with a top air space 22 formed between the exterior top wall 24 and an interior wall 26. Extending across the cover through the space 22 is a bar or shaft whose ends project through and move vertically in vertically elongated slots 32 .in opposite outside walls 18 of the cover. This bar 30 is pressed upward by a pair of elliptic springs 34, one located in the space 20 on each side of the cover, the ends of the springs being adapted to travel horizontally on flat trackways formed on the interiors of the lower edge 3 of the cever in the manner which is entirely obvious from an inspection of F 3. ln other words, these springs are retained in inclosed chambers in the side walls which, while permitting` movement of the springs, retain 'them against removal. These springs 34 are made ve v streng, those in on-e sample of the device heretofore made being` suthciently powerful tc provide ten pounds pressure on each inch of circumferential length about the bottom edge of the cover or top edge of the case when the parts are assembled.

Projecting lfrom opposite sides of the case 10 and immediately belowthe bar 30 are stationary pivot pins or screws 3G located in alinement with each other on opposite sides of the case. leurilaled on these pins 36 are opposite ends of a Ueshaped hand lever 40, designed to be left in the position of Fig. l when the device is closed and in the position of Fig, 2 when the device is open. Rigid with each end of lever 40 is an eccentric 42. 0n the circumference of each eccentric 42 is j ournaled a latch arm 44 having on its outer end hook 46 adapted, when in the position of F ig. 1, to lit over the adjacent end of the bar 30. Eccentric 42 is so adjusted, with. reference to the ends of il -shaped lever 40, that when the lever 40 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, or slightly to the left thereof, the eccentrics 42 will begin to move the arms 44e downward, and as the lever 40 moves in a clockwise direction from the position of Fig. 3, they will continue to do so until the parts reach tl e position of Fig. 1 with the result that the bar 8O has been moved downward the lengths of the slots 32, thereby compressing the springs 84e and securing the cover on the case under the pressure of said springs 84C. rIhe arms la are provided with stops 50 so located and arranged that the maximum rotative travel of the arms elli is only between the positions of Figs. 1 and 2; or, in other words, through an arc of about ninety degrees.

In order to enable the lever 40 to move the arms ffl from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 8 without securing them together, which is impossible in view of the movements heretofore described of the parts with reference to each other, the tops of the members I6 are provided with a cam track composed of the parts 52 and 52a, arranged as shown, and the opposite side members of the U-shaped lever 40 are provided with movable plunger heads 54, slidably mounted in the side arms of the lever 40 in such a position that projecting portions of said plunger heads 54 engage the cam tracks 52 and 52a in the manner and for the purposes iereafter described. Each plunger head 54 illustrated in section in Fig. 6 is broader than astem portion 5-12, integral therewith and adapted to move longitudinally of an elongated slot 58 cut in the adjacent arm l0. This slot 58 is narrower than and below another slot 60 also cut in said arm l0 and communicating with the slot 58 so that the stem 5LP of the plunger head can reciprocate in the two slots against the action of spring 56, said spring being held in place by oppositely disposed caps or covers G2 placed on opposite sides of the lever 40 and suitably secured in position, as, for instance, by soldering. rlhe slot 60 is in fact longer than the slot 58, so that in assembling the parts, the plunger head 5st may be placed bodily in the slot 60 before the stem 54a is moved downward to the position shown in the drawings, with the plunger head 54 engaging both sides of the lever 40, thereby preventing its removal.

In the operation of the device, assume that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2. The cover 12 is moved down onto the case 10; z'. e., to the position shown in Fig. 1, with the lever i0 and arm di still in the position of Fig. 2. rllhe operator now takes hold of lever i0 and starts to move it in a clock-wise direction toward the position of Fig. 3; in so doing the plunger heads 54 very speedily engage cam tracks 5252a, which are so located that in the absence of obstructions to the arms del, the plungers 5&1 are behind and, therefore, move the levers L14. 'As

soon as the levers dei reach the position shown in Fig. 1, with the ends of rod 80 under hooks e6, thus creating an obstruction to the further movement of the arms 4A, sufficient resistance to these arms is encountered, so that plunger heads 5-1 travel up cam surfaces 52L and onto surfaces 52, being frictionally held there by the springs 56. During the time that lever 40 is moving through the arc represented by the lengths of the cam surfaces 52, this frictional engagement of the plungers with said surfaces 52 continues, consequently holding the hook devices t4-L16 in the position shown in Fig. 1 for a sufficient length of time until, the eccentric cam, heretofore described, has moved the arms LA suliiciently downward against the action of the springs 3i to prevent escape of the hooks 4G from the ends of bar 30. Further movement of the lever e() to the position which it assumes in Fig. 1 merely further compresses the springs Sit and positively locks the cover on the case; that is to say, holds the cover on the case under the pressure of the springs Sil.

In reversing the operation, the lever l0Y moves from the position of Fig. 1 toward that of Fig. 8 and finally to that of Fig. 2; the first portion of this movement, of course, releases the spring pressure on the hook devices ifi-'16, until, at the end of which operation the plunger heads "et fric` tionally engage the cam surfaces 52 sufficiently to move hooks 46 olf from the ends of rod 30, and the hooks continue to move with the lever Li0 until they are stopped by the members 50 reaching therposition of Fig. 2, whereupon, as the lever Ll0 continues to move in a countenclockwise direction, the plungers 54 travel entirely olf from cam tracks 52-52a, and the parts assume their initial position of Fig. 2, ready to have the operation repeated.

In the particular design of the device here illustrated, the greatest locking effect or pressure of the cover on the case is in the position shown in Fig. 1, where the bottom of the U-shaped lever i0 is in substantial contact with the side wall of the case, and there is, therefore, little danger of the lever being accidentally engaged by external objects to release the lock.

The use of the U-shaped lever is very important, because it enables the operator, by

a single movement of the hand, to exert a or lockcase and obtained securing dearranged on ing ready operation of the device and preventing the friction which would occur were the springs not connected .together and only short studs projecting from the springs provided in the place of the ends of the rod 30.

Fig. 7 shows the novel method oi' constructing a U-shaped recess for the rubber washer l5 on the upper edge of the case 10, while maintaining the wall oi' the case entirely imperforate, the method employed greatly simplifying the methods heretofore used. in doing this, the metal sheet is bent first outward in the line 72, then upward in the line 74, parallel to 70, thence inward in the line 76, and nally upward in the line 78, lying in the same plane as portion 70. @n the outside of portion 74 a supplemental plate is riveted to a block or bar of iron 82, nlaced within the recess inclosed by portions 7.2, 74 and 76, of sheet metal, such rivet being shown as 84.

The iron member 82 provides a general stifi'ening for the box and an anchorage for the studs 36.

This construction has the distinct advantage over prior constructions in that a perfectly tight joint, c'. e., integrality, is maintained at the corner 86, so that air coming from the inside of the case over the edge of member 78 cannot get through at this point.

Fig. 8 shows the novel method of constructing the hollow cover 12 of this device, in which the bottoms of the side walls 16 and 18 are respectively curved toward each other and about the bearing member 13, heretofore described, in the curved forms 16a and 18 and assembled in the position generally shown in Fig. 8. after which they are driven together into the position shown in 4, thus making an air-tight joint at the contact of the parts 16 and 18a.

Having thus described mv invention.l what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the class described, a case and a cover to be secured together, means for drawing one of said members toward the other, and a metallic spring device located in an inclosed chamber formed in one ot said parts to be secured together resisting the operation of said drawing means, for the purposes described.

2. 1n a device of the class described, the combination of a case and cover to be secured together, means for drawing said members together, one located on each side or the device, metallic spring devices located on opposite sides of one of said members to be secured together simultaneously resisting the operation of said drawing means.

3. 1n a device of the class described, the combination of a case and cover to be secured together, means for drawing said members together, one located on each side of the device, metallic spring devices located on opposite sides of one of said members, to be secured together, simultaneously resisting the operation of said drawing means, and a single operating means for simultaneously manipulating said drawing means.

4. In a device of the class described, a case and a cover to be secured together, means for drawing one of said members toward the other, and a spring device located and movable within an inclosed chamber formed in one of said parts to be secured together, having' a connecting means extend ing outside said chamber engaging and re sisting the operation oi3 said drawing means, for the purposes described.

5.. In device of the class described, the combination oi" a case and cover to be secured together', means for drawing said members together, one located on each sine of the device, spring devices located and movable in inclosed chambers in walls on opposite sides of one oi said members to be secured together simultaneously resisting the operation of said drawing means.

6. .ln a device of the class described, the combination oi-a case and cover to be secured together, means for drawing said members together, one located on each side of the device, spring devices located and movable in inclosed chambers in walls on opposite sides of one oi said members, to be secured. together, simultaneously resisting the operation of said drawing means, and a single operating means for simultaneously manipulating said drawing means.

7. In a device of the class described, a case and a. cover to be secured together, means for drawing one ot' said members toward the other, a spring device located within an inelosed chamber formed in one of said parts to be secured together, and means connected to said spring extending through a slot in the wall oil said chamber engaging and resisting the operation of sn id drawing means, for the purposes set forth.

8. ln ay device of the class described, the combination of a case and cover to be secured together, means for drawing said members together. one loca-ted on each side ot' the device` spring devices located, in inclosed chambers, on opposite sides of one of said members to be secured together, and means connected to said springs extending through slots in the walls ot said chambers engaging and simultaneously resisting the operation of said drawing means.

ln a. device of the class described, the combination ofa case and cover to be secured together, means for drawing said members together, one located on cach side of the device, spring devices located, in ins closed chambers, on opposite sides of one of said members, to be secured together, and means connected to said springajs extending through slots in the walls of said chambers engaging and simultaneously resisting the operation of said drawing means, and a single operating means for simultaneously manipulating said drawing means.

10. In a device of the class described, a case and a cover to be secured together, means ior drawing one of said members toward the other, an elliptic spring device located within inclosed chamber formed in one oit' said parts to be secured together, and means connected to said spring extending through a slot in the wall of said chamber engaging and resisting the operation of said drawing means` 11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a case and cover to be secured together, means for drawing said members together, one located on each side oi' the device, elliptic spring devices located in inclosed chambers, on opposite'sides of one of said members to be secured together, and means connected to said springs eXtending through slots in the walls of said chambers engaging and simultaneously resisting the operation of said drawing means.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a case and cover to be secured together, means for drawing said members together, one located on each side of the device, elliptical spring devices located in inclosed chambers, on opposite sides of one of said members, to be secured together, and means connected to said springs extending through slots in the walls of said chambers engaging and simultaneously resisting the operation of said drawing means, and a single operating means for simultaneously manipulating said drawing means.

y13. In a device o't the class described, the combination of a case, a cover adapted to close the case, said cover being provided with hollow recessed side walls and a top, a pair of springs, one located in each of the recesses located in two opposite side walls of the case, a bar rigidly connected to said springs extending through and adapted to move in slots in the outer walls of the cover elongated in the direction ot the case, hook devices carried by cams on opposite sides of the case and adjacent to theV ends of said bar adapted to swing over the vends ot said bar, and means for simultaneously manipulating said cam devices to cause said 'hooks to draw the cover and case together against the action of said springs. I

14e. In a device of the class described, the combination of a case, a. cover adapted to close the ease, said cover being provided with long and narrow hollow recessed side walls, a pair ot elliptic springs, one located in each of the recesses located in two opposite side walls of the case, a bar rigidly connected to said elliptic springs extending through and adapted to move in slots in the outer walls et the cover elongated in the direction of the case, hook devices carried by cams located on opposite sides of the case and adjacent to the ends of said bar adapted toV swing over the ends of said "bar, and means for simultaneously manipulating said cam devices to cause said hooks to draw the cover and case together against the action of said elliptic springs. Y

15. In a device of the class described, in combination with a case and cover having abutting side walls, an operating lever pivoted to one of said members in proximity to the other, an. eccentric cam carried and movable by said lever, a hook device loosely journaled on said eccentric cam adapted to swing thereon from a position where it .does not overlap the second of said first mentioned members to a position where it does so, means limiting the swing of the hook device so that it moves through a shorter arc than the lever, and a frictional contact device carried by the le'ver, adapted to temporarily engage the hook as the lever swings through the hoolrs arc of movement to carry said hook with it.

16. In a device of the class described, in combination with a case and cover having abutting side walls, an operating lever pivoted to one of said members in proximity to the other, an eccentric cam carried and movable by said lever, hoolr device loosely journaled on said eccentric cam adaptedV to swing thereon from a position where it does not overlap the second of saidrtirst mentioned members to a position where it does so, means limiting the swing of the hook device so that it moves through a shorter arc than the lever, and a rictional contact device carried by the lever adapted to temporarily engage the hook as the lever swings through the hooks ar of movement to carry said hook with it, the eccentric cam being so located with reference to the hook that when the hook has reached its eXtreme position, overlapping the secondV of said first mentioned members, it draws said hook in the direction of the member on which the lever is pivoted.

17. In a device of the class described, in combination with a case and cover having abutting side walls, an operating lever pivoted to one of said members in proximity to Y the other, an eccentric cam carried and movable by said lever, a hook device loosely journaled on said eccentric cam adapted to swing thereon :trom a position where it does not overlap the second of said first mentionedV members to a position where it does so, means limiting the swing of the hook device so that it moves through a shorter arc than the lever, and a frictional contact device car# ried by the lever adapted to temporarily engage the hoolr as the lever swings through the hoolrs arc of movement to carry said hook with it, the eccentric cam being sc lo los cated with reference to the hook that when the hook has reached its extreme position, overlapping the second of said first mentioned members, it draws said hook in the direction of the member on which the lever is pivoted, this in combination with a spring device mounted in the member which does not carry the lever, adapted to be engaged by said hook prior to its reciprocation, whereby said reciprocation of the hook toi ward the member carrying the lever compresses the spring mechanism, thus securing the first two mentioned members together.

18. In a device of the class described, in combination with a case and cover, a lever pivoted on the case adapted to swing through a relatively wide arc, an eccentric cam carried by said lever, a hook journaled on said eccentric cam, means limiting the path of travel of said hook to an arc substantially less than the path of travel of the lever, a spring device carried by the cover and engageable by the hook in one position during its said path of travel adapted, when compressed, to assist in holding the cover on the case, a cam track on the free end of the hook, a plunger device mounted on and reciprocatable lengthwise of the lever, means urging said plunger toward the pivot of said lever adapted to bear upon said cam track on the hook, the whole so arranged and proportioned that when the hook has been swung away from the position where it engages said spring device and said lever is then moved toward said spring device, the plunger device will move the hook in unison with the lever into engagement with the spring device and hold it there until the eccentric cam which is so positioned fort-he purpose as to tend to draw the hook device toward the pivotal axis of the lever against the action of said spring device begins to so act for the purposes set forth.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination of a boX member adapted to have an interl'itting member secured thereto, a lever pivoted on the box member, an eecentric cam carried by said lever, a hook L'opies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner mounted on said eccentric to rotate with the lever and be reciprocated toward the box member by the eccentric, means limiting the path of travel of the hook to an arc substantially less than the path of travel of the lever, a cam track on the free end of the hook, and a spring plunger device on the lever adapted to frictionally engage said cam track on the hook, whereby, as the lever travels over the arc of travel of the hook, it moves said hook in unison with it.

20. In aA device of the class described, a lever member having an elongated slot intermediate between its ends, said slot being wider at one end than the other, the narrower portion having parallel sides, a plunger head notched to slide between said nar rower parallel sides and having a stem eX- tending toward said enlarged portion of the slot, a spring device located in the large portion of the slot controlling said stem and consequently the plunger head, and an inclosing case for the spring for the purposes set forth. l

2l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a lever having cut in it two parallel sided slots placed end to end and communicating one with the other, one slot being wider than the other, a plunger 5e wider than the thickness of the lever and notched so as to be slidable in the narrower of said slots and yet of such a diameter that it may pass into the larger of said slots, a stem 54e on said plunger head reciprocatable with the plunger longitudinally of the lever, a spring device 5G located in the wider slot pressing said plunger stem 54a, and cover devices 62 retaining the spring in place, the whole arranged and disposed substantially as shown and described for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

LYMAN C. DAVIDSON. I/Vitnesses:

DWIGHT B. CHEEVER, M. S. RosENzwlne.

of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

